Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: bobmick on 03 April, 2008, 06:44:39 pm
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One of my bikes has horizontal drop outs and the wheel has a tendency to pull to one side so that it rubs against the chainstay. I've done the QR skewer up b*stard tight but it can still happen when I really stand on the pedals. Its a Shimano skewer in a 105 hub.
Its starting to really piss me off. Any suggestions for a cure?
Cheers
Bob
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Lubricate the cam on the skewer with some sort of penetrating oil. Are the dropouts chromed?
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Are the dropouts chromed?
No, but the frame was resprayed recently (not particularly well in my view) and some of the paint has chipped off the dropouts. I've removed the flaky bits and the rest of it seems sound. Still happens though.
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If it's not one of the modern Shimano QRs (with a large square-edged lever), get one. They can go beyond b*stard tight. Also make sure the nuts have serrated faces.
Sorry I don't know what else to suggest.
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I'm not sure if its a modern QR or not. Will have to check. Pretty sure its got serrated faces though.
Cheers
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Sheldon on skewers
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/skewers.html
make sure it's an enclosed cam type
The other possibility might be that the axle is a smidge too long - if the dropouts are narrow, maybe - so that the q/r skewer isn't fully locking onto the dropout. Try a washer outside the dropout on each side.
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It will be enclosed cam if it's a Shimano.
It'll be an old (not what I call "modern") model if the lever is the traditional curvy shape and length. Try Google Images for examples of various levers.
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Ok, I dunno much about skewers as most of my bikes don't have them :)
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The heavy ones with the chromed, knurled steel levers are the most effective.
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The heavy ones with the chromed, knurled steel levers are the most effective.
I found you can actually get the skewer tighter with the newer type with the longer levers - for example the ones that have come with Deore* hubs for the last few years. I don't know how much is down to the lever simply being longer, or if the cam is different as well.
BTW, tightening any skewer more than usual will effectively make the cones tighter (due to axle compression), so the cones may need adjusting.
* These are for 135mm (MTB), but I'd expect the modern Shimano 130mm ones to be similarly good.
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Move the lever too far and the cam will slacken, you did realise that didn't you ? Perhaps you need to tighten the nut a bit. The lever should be right angles to the skewer when tight enough.
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It looks to be a modern Shimano skewer.
It hadn't even crossed my mind that the cam would slacken slightly if I moved the lever too far :-[ I should have realised that. I've also had another go at cleaning up the dropouts.
I'll go out on that bike later and see if it has improved. Thanks for the advice.
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I had a similar issue but it was due to the qr skewer rusting into the axle.. once freed the rear wheel tightened up just fine.
..d
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Maybe the dropouts are not parallel, or the axle is bent, so the qr is not clamping properly.
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This used to happen with 'er indoors DB Sorrento.
Turned out it had 135 dropout spacing and a 130 axle.
It wasn't immediately obvious and only happened with the trailer on.
Tried a wider back wheel and VOILA!
Respaced the rear to 135 and no problem since.
I'd suggest undoing the skewer and making sure the frame doesn't spring away from the lock nuts. . .
J
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Think I've sorted it now. I took the nut off the skewer and noticed that, not only had all the serrations worn away, but that it was flush with the plastic outer part of the nut. Found an old (and heavy, but who cares) replacement nut in the bits box and went out for a ride. 55 km later and not a suggestion of movement. :)